Hiidenportti National Park

According to an old Finnish legend a demon called Hiisi fled to the peaceful and quiet setting of Hiidenportti. You can do the same: escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Hiidenportti National Park you can find peace in the middle of nature and see backwoods, which are typical of the area. The heart of Hiidenportti National Park is the majestic Hiidenportti Gorge, which is the most notable nature attraction in Kainuu Region.

The canyons of Hiidenportti are an impressive sight. Along the path leading to the main gorge you can experience shady spruce forest, a flowery meadow and woodland that used to be cleared periodically by slash-and-burn farmers. The park has many fascinating places and stories for anyone interested in cultural history to discover.

Hiidenportti National Park was established to preserve the Kainuu Region’s wilderness. A mosaic mix of mires and dry forests is typical landscape in this National Park.

Hiidenportti is home to many birds that live in old-growth forests. A lucky hiker may spot a rare red-flanked bluetail, which lives in Finland on the western margins of its range. The red-breasted flycatcher migrates all the way from India to nest in Hiidenportti. The critically endangered willow tit lives in the National Park round the year, surviving over winter on insects it has stashed away in beard lichen. The most common bird species in the park are the common chaffinch and willow warbler as well as the Eurasian siskin, spotted flycatcher and tree pipit. Dwellers of old mixed forests include the robin, goldcrest and wood warbler, whereas the northern goshawk and three-toed woodpecker prefer spruce woods. The inquisitive Siberian jay follows a hiker around.

MORE INFO: www.nationalparks.fi/en/hiidenporttinp